01 perspective
Written by: Comment Editor
2020-03-24 07:00
Last updated: 2020-03-24 07:00The epidemic in Hong Kong has deteriorated again in the past week. The number of confirmed cases has exceeded 300. The next two weeks will be the worst time for the epidemic in Hong Kong. As the threat of new coronal pneumonia becomes more serious, society should let go of the struggle and work together to fight the epidemic. Over the past two days, demonstrators gathered in Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O respectively in memory of "7.21" and "Chen Yanlin's death", during which roads were blocked and police and civilians clashed. This not only fails to solve social problems, but also affects the effectiveness of anti-epidemic work. In the current severe situation, both the protesters and the police should take the opportunity of the epidemic to halt and think about how to resolve violence and hatred.
During the anti-revision of last year, the demonstration camp used some Japanese characters and events to unite the people and continue their struggle, including some iconic days such as the "6.12" Admiral Police Clashes, the "7.21" Yuen Long White Man Attack, and the "8.31" Prince Edward Station Incident Etc. It also includes the anniversary of "Zhou Zile" and "Chen Yanlin" who were identified as fighting the dead. As the momentum of the demonstrations weakened, a small number of extremists who adhered to the violent route turned to acts that approximate terrorism, such as making bombs and explosives. On the other hand, in order to prevent the "natural destruction" of the protests, mainstream demonstrators continue to commemorate these days and take to the streets to protest illegally.
However, this is likely to be a demonstration only for demonstrations, and even to stir up the incident. Moreover, just as Chen Yanlin's mother also stated that she did not want her daughter's death to be consumed by politics, how much does it mean that the demonstrators took to the streets on these "months of anniversary"? I'm afraid that it will become a ritual of "time to wait" and formally conflict with the police who control the order at the scene. Under the threat of the epidemic, demonstrators should calm down and think about how to turn street movements into real political demands. Just as we have always opposed the government's brutal amendments and support for reforming the police and police system, we also oppose violent demonstrations. What Hong Kong needs is not violence but social reform. All sectors should do practical things to promote social progress.
At the same time, the police must do more to resolve the conflict between the two parties. Police officers' abuse of power is an important reason to stimulate the anti-revision movement. When the demonstrators commit illegal acts, the police should enforce the law; but at the same time, if there are police officers who violate the rules, the police must also deal with them seriously. As of the beginning of this month, CAPO has received a total of 1,678 complaints, of which 569 "reportable complaints" need to submit investigation reports to the IPCC for review; and of the 139 cases completed by the police to date, 21 require "full investigations" . Often times, offending police officers are just reprimanded without further consequences. Demonstrators may face legal liability for breaking the law, but police are often reprimanded for violations of the rules, which also gives public lawyers strictness and treats them with mercy. Demonstrations will be halted under the epidemic situation. The police must carefully consider how to improve the complaints and accountability mechanism, rectify the outline, and resolve the hatred between the police and the people.
For the sake of national epidemic prevention, both police and demonstrators should calm down. And when they take a step back and reflect on their own practices and ways out, they are taking a real "walk" step, which can even push the society forward.
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01 perspective
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